Disadvantaged children in India to benefit from 5m dollar Oz sports program

New Delhi, Oct. 6 (ANI): Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today officially launched the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP), for grass roots sport-based development in India.

The ASOP India is an Australian Government initiative implemented by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and involves a five million dollar commitment over five years.

The program will contribute to India's national development priorities specifically targeting disadvantaged community groups and people with a disability.

Senator Arbib said the ASOP India will use sport to promote education and other development goals while fostering both sporting and life skills in marginalised children and youth.

"Sport for development provides an exciting new avenue to strengthen people-to-people collaboration and relationships between Australia and India," Senator Arbib said.

The ASOP India will be implemented through five agencies including Magic Bus, Special Olympics Bharat, Rashtriya Life Saving Society India, Goa Football Association and Naz Foundation (India) Trust.

Australian sporting organisations (Surf Life Saving Australia, Football Federation Australia and Netball Australia) will partner the Indian agencies to ensure the provision of technical advice and support.

The ASOP program will operate in six locations and address cross-sectoral development issues, including:

Primary school sport and physical education; Disability sport; Netball for the empowerment of adolescent girls and the prevention of HIV/AIDS; Holistic child development through grass roots junior football and coach mentoring; Teaching swimming and life saving for personal safety and youth livelihoods; and Income generation through sport. (ANI)